Neal Shaughnessy

Tell me a little about your background?

I was in real estate property management for the past 8 years before coming to MSC, and also had a few years of insurance sales experience prior to that.

Why were you interested in Medical Sales? What drew you to this industry?

I knew several friends in the industry, not surgical sales specifically, but all of them seemed to really enjoy what they did and were making a great living at it. What drew me to it was not just the earning potential, but the chance to work in the medical industry and be a part of the OR environment, which is something that always interested me.

How long did you try to get into the industry? What was that experience like?

I had a few interviews set up through referrals from friends, but due to lack of sales experience, especially medical sales experience, I only went so far in the hiring process. Hiring managers wanted someone to be able to drive business from day one, and I did not have the tools to do that at the time.

How did you learn about Medical Sales College?

Through an online search.

Did you have any fears about attending the School? What were they?

Absolutely. I wasn’t sure how easily I would be able to learn the material, I was anxious about giving sales presentations/role plays in front of a class full of people and a video camera, and I had doubts if I was making the right decision prior to leaving. Part of the reason for those doubts stemmed from not being able to keep my job and attend the program at the same time. I had to walk away from my career before landing a job in the medical sales industry, which was obviously stressful, I also had to leave my wife and young daughter for 6-weeks to attend the program. It was a pretty big risk and I had a lot riding on my decision.

What ultimately made you decide to attend the College?

I was just ready for a change and have wanted to get into this industry for a while, so I knew MSC was the best possible chance to make that happen.

Describe your experience once you began training with Medical Sales College.

Even though it was a lot of work each and every day, I never enjoyed learning and studying so much in my entire life. You get a lot of information in a short amount of time, and you have presentations, role plays and tests to prepare for on a nightly basis, but it was a comfortable, collaborative, and fun environment where we all learned and laughed every single day.

Explain what your interview process was like.

My interview process was somewhat long; it consisted of three separate interviews, and then a three-day paid interview where I worked side by side with the distributor. After the third day, I was offered the job.

What from your training did you specifically use during the interview process that ultimately helped you land your position?

I don’t know if it was anything specific, I just felt like the whole program prepared and allowed me to be where I am today. From the role plays, to presentations, to product research and comparisons, to mock interviews, to observing surgeries and knowing how the OR works. Everything I learned really helped me land the position.

What will you do in your new job?

I am currently training, so everyday is different. Some days I am observing surgeries and running trays, others I am in the office doing saw bones and learning all of our products. No day is exactly the same, which is why I love it.

What was the most valuable thing you learned at Medical Sales College/What piece of
training do you use the most in your day-to-day activities?

I don’t think it is one thing, but for me, it just gave me the confidence that I could do this and be successful at it.

Why should someone attend the Medical Sales College if they want this career?

I can only speak for why I attended, and that was because I wanted a way to educate myself in order to get my foot in the door and give myself opportunities to get in the industry. Nothing is obviously promised once you graduate from MSC, but if you put your all into the program, and put the same amount of effort into your job search once you get out, you should have no problem getting an opportunity.

What do you know now that you wish you had known before entering the industry/attending Medical Sales College?